home blood pressure guidance

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    • Type: EC eCQMs - Eligible Clinicians
    • Resolution: Answered
    • Priority: Moderate
    • Component/s: None
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      Thank you for your inquiry regarding CMS165v14 (2026 Performance Period). Patient reported BP are allowed as long as they are taken using a remote monitoring device approved by the clinician. We do not have a list of valid remote monitoring devices for this measure. However, patient reported readings taken with non-digital devices, such as with a manual blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, remain prohibited for inclusion in the measure. Determining the acceptability, reliability and validity of a remote monitoring device is left to the discretion of the clinician. Valid readings may be transmitted directly by the device to the clinician, conveyed to the clinician by the patient (such as via patient portal), or read from the device by the clinician during an in-person/virtual encounter.

      Blood pressure readings performed by the clinical staff, e.g. medical assistant, nurse, nurse practitioner, are qualifying documentation for evaluating numerator compliance. Per guidance in the measure specification, as long as the blood pressure readings are documented in the patient's medical record, as approved by the clinician, then those are acceptable for numerator evaluation. The intent of the guidance is to not include blood pressure readings that are read by or taken by patients. General guidance on which methods are acceptable can be found in the measure narrative at https://ecqi.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/ecqm/measures/CMS165-v14.0.000-QDM.html.

      If you have questions about reading the measure specification or understanding data requirements, you may refer to the "Guide for Reading eCQMs" for additional guidance. If you have questions regarding implementing the measure, you may refer to the "Implementation Checklist for eCQM Annual Update" for additional guidance. These resources can be found in the eCQI Resource Center: https://ecqi.healthit.gov/ep-ec?qt-tabs_ep=ecqm-resources&global_measure_group=eCQMs. If you have questions regarding CMS quality program reporting requirements, please review the QPP website or contact the QPP Helpdesk at QPP@cms.hhs.gov.
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      Thank you for your inquiry regarding CMS165v14 (2026 Performance Period). Patient reported BP are allowed as long as they are taken using a remote monitoring device approved by the clinician. We do not have a list of valid remote monitoring devices for this measure. However, patient reported readings taken with non-digital devices, such as with a manual blood pressure cuff and stethoscope, remain prohibited for inclusion in the measure. Determining the acceptability, reliability and validity of a remote monitoring device is left to the discretion of the clinician. Valid readings may be transmitted directly by the device to the clinician, conveyed to the clinician by the patient (such as via patient portal), or read from the device by the clinician during an in-person/virtual encounter. Blood pressure readings performed by the clinical staff, e.g. medical assistant, nurse, nurse practitioner, are qualifying documentation for evaluating numerator compliance. Per guidance in the measure specification, as long as the blood pressure readings are documented in the patient's medical record, as approved by the clinician, then those are acceptable for numerator evaluation. The intent of the guidance is to not include blood pressure readings that are read by or taken by patients. General guidance on which methods are acceptable can be found in the measure narrative at https://ecqi.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/ecqm/measures/CMS165-v14.0.000-QDM.html . If you have questions about reading the measure specification or understanding data requirements, you may refer to the "Guide for Reading eCQMs" for additional guidance. If you have questions regarding implementing the measure, you may refer to the "Implementation Checklist for eCQM Annual Update" for additional guidance. These resources can be found in the eCQI Resource Center: https://ecqi.healthit.gov/ep-ec?qt-tabs_ep=ecqm-resources&global_measure_group=eCQMs . If you have questions regarding CMS quality program reporting requirements, please review the QPP website or contact the QPP Helpdesk at QPP@cms.hhs.gov .
    • CMS0165v14

      Is there any CMS guidance/FAQs related to home blood pressure readings?  The specification says " Blood pressure readings taken by an automated blood pressure monitor or device and conveyed by the patient to the clinician are also acceptable. It is the clinician’s responsibility and discretion to confirm the automated blood pressure monitor or device used to obtain the blood pressure is considered acceptable and reliable and whether the blood pressure reading is considered accurate before documenting it in the patient’s medical record." I was wondering if there is any further guidance on what is needed to be compliant with this.  Ie, would a notation on the home vital sign form be enough?

            Assignee:
            AIR EC eCQM Team
            Reporter:
            Lauren
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